Publications

BOOKS

Actions and Insights: UAE Public Policy Perspectives (Vol.6) Public policy is a set of principles used to uphold the well-being of citizens. These principles are often unwritten and form the basis of social laws. This book focuses on ‘unlocking the black box of UAE Public Policy’. It presents several cases that give an insight into the UAE leadership, the areas the government has prioritized and how these fold into UAE Vision 2021. Viewpoints on provoking topics by thought leaders like Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Cabinet Member and UAE Minister of State for Tolerance; Fadi Ghandour, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Aramex and Managing Partner, Wamda Capital and Christopher M. Schroeder, Venture Investor and Author.Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has grown from a tiny village by a creek to a globally recognized megapolis. Through these cases, you will get a glimpse of strategic decisions taken by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and how these decisions taken by the UAE Government have led to the creation of one of the most connected cities and competitive countries in the world.The book is divided into six sections: Government leadership, national competitive advantage, social and sustainable development, national human capital development, entrepreneurship and government systems. The UAE 2021 Vision aims for UAE to be one of the top 10 countries in the world. The future focus for UAE is to increase competitiveness in foreign markets especially looking at trade, entrepreneurship and focusing on seven high-value adding innovation sectors like renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water, and space. One of the challenges this resource-rich country has had is moving away from oil dependency. By 2016, oil formed less than 30% of the UAE GDP, and the plan is to have a 20% dependency by 2021. The book covers a variety of cases that address many of these issues.This book can be used to teach public policy and help international industry leaders and academics understand the context of UAE and the role it plays in the global arena. This project is a series by the Academy of International Business – MENA chapter, supported by the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Dubai.For more information on AIB- MENA, go to: https://aib.uowdubai.ac.ae

Actions and Insights: Social Entrepreneurs (Vol. 5) The growing field of social entrepreneurship sits between purpose-built start-ups that pursue a traditional for-profit business model, and the conventional non-profit models that depend on grants, charity and public funding. Because of their position, social entrepreneurs face a unique challenge to balance social impact with financial returns, and must replicate and scale their business models when seeking to internationalize.This book, the fifth in the Actions and Insights series under the auspices of the Academy of International Business – Middle East North Africa, explores how various start-up models, whether private sector-led, private sector incubated, or more traditional non-profit ventures, have built a business model and, in some cases, succeeded in scaling and internationalizing their businesses. Cases here reflect the challenges that social entrepreneurs face, both personal and organizational, and take a variety of perspectives, such as entrepreneurial motivation, ‘doing good well’, empowerment, funding, governance, impact measurement, and understanding the challenges and opportunities that go with scaling.There are a variety of cases: large global organizations that act as disruptors in the marketplace like Gavi- The Vaccine Alliance, The Tata Group and Vestergaard. Grassroot community champions like Ruwwad: The Arab Foundation for Sustainable Development (Jordan) and Sulabh International Service Organisation (India). Social enterprises ventures (SEVs) focusing on preserving heritage like Sougha (UAE) and Balqees Honey (Yemen). Organizations using the power of technology to empower like Wamda (UAE), Nakhweh (Jordan) and Souktel (Gaza and Emerging Markets). Entrepreneurs that used the power of stores like The 99 to do good and women entrepreneurs who have set up organizations like Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3), Kaamen (MENA), Nisaa FM (Palestine) and Tree Change Dolls (Australia).Viewpoints on relevant topics are given by leaders from the industry like: Fadi Ghandour, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of Aramex & Chairman of the Board, Wamda; Iman Bibars, Regional Director of Ashoka Arab World; Christopher M. Schroeder, Venture Investor and Author, Badr Jafr, Managing Director of Crescent Group and CEO of Crescent Enterprises and Claire Scott Woodward, CEO of Emirates Foundation. It is hoped that the book will be used to teach ‘for profit social entrepreneurs’ and help the MENA region redress the problems of tolerance, self-accountability and employment generation. Most of our books are targeted across the international business community and are used in universities across the world to help create a better understanding of the region. This project was funded by the UAE National Research Foundation and is a series by the Academy of International Business – MENA chapter, supported by the University of Wollongong in Dubai.

Actions and Insights: The India Connection (vol. 4) Slowly but steadily, the geographic centre of business gravity is moving eastwards. Emerging economies are proving promising business markets with large populations that have strong future purchasing power. The youthful human capital provides potential opportunities for innovation. The MENA region is strategically placed at the hub between East and West. As the developed West and the developing East collide, the challenges and opportunities that arise bring a rich variety of solutions to existing business dilemmas. This set of cases explores why and how some successful Indian entrepreneurs have relocated themselves to the UAE. It traces their entrepreneurial stories. Two cases are from the healthcare industry: Dr. B.R. Shetty is the founder of NMC Healthcare, UAE Exchange and Neo Pharma and Dr Azad Moopen is the founder of Aster DM Healthcare. We trace the story of Yogesh Mehta who moved from Mumbai, Maharashtra to begin Petrochem Middle East. Ajmal Perfumes, a third generation family business, traces its roots to Assam in the Northeast of India and today is a strong niche player in the perfume industry. This book also documents the stories of a few women entrepreneurs, like Uma Ghosh Deshpande who carved a career for herself in the competitive UAE media production industry, and the Kalra sisters who are on a quest to make the world wheelchair friendly. This book was inspired by HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, former UAE Minister of International Cooperation and Development, and current UAE Minister of State for Tolerance. This book would not be possible without the help from the Indian Consul General of Dubai.

Reviews – East Meets West – by Christopher M. Schroeder

Professor Melodena Balakrishnan has written and edited a must-read analysis on the central and rapidly evolving opportunities for doing business in the Middle East. “East Meets West,” commissioned by the non-profit Academy of International Business — Middle East North Africa Chapter, was written by some of the leading global thinkers on emerging growth markets. It is the most thorough, comprehensive and provocative collection of business case studies and study guides for the rise in entrepreneurship in the region and how companies manage growth; new opportunities for enterprises accessing enhanced research on the region and unique marketing sensitivities; and how to balance cross cultural currents in business-to-business expansion.

With painstaking research, it is the first detailed telling of the rise of the logistics juggernaut, Aramex, and how its economic success has been combined with path-breaking initiatives in culture building, innovation, corporate responsibility. How can GE best introduce the importance of breast cancer awareness and screening in Saudi Arabia? How should Kentucky Fried Chicken load balance the demands of consumers in Mecca? What unique packaging designs can impact sales of Pepsi country by country? Can a high-end food services group from Germany compete with low-cost competitors in region? Through these remarkable and fascinating stories, data and insight, Balakrishnan and her team answer the most central question of all: MENA is open for business in new and exciting ways, with incomparable market opportunities for those who understand it, and want to genuinely embrace being of the wonderful cultures and societies.

Christopher M. Schroeder, US-based internet entrepreneur and venture investor, author of Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East (www.startuprisingbook.com) out end of summer 2013.